Excel Tips - How to use CHOOSE function

Another simple function which seems nothing much of a use at the first look. But it can be used choose from a predetermined list.

Syntax

CHOOSE(index_num, value1, [value2], ...)

index_num and value1 and necessary. value2 to value255 (excel 2010) is optional. If index_num is 1 then value1 is the result, if index_num is 2 then value2 is the result and so on.

For example, let's say we need to know the "DAY" of a certain date. To do that we need to use another excel function WEEKDAY.

The week is from Sunday to Monday,

DAY	WEEKDAY
Sunday	1
Monday	2
Tuesday	3
Wednesday	4
Thursday	5
Friday	6
Saturday	7

So, CHOOSE(1,"Sunday","Monday","Tuesday","Wednesday","Thursday","Friday","Saturday") will give Sunday. It is possible to have the days in cells. But for this example I will keep within the function.

Now, instead of index_num = 1, we will use =WEEKDAY(4th July 2012). Cell A14 contain the date.

=CHOOSE(WEEKDAY(A14),"Sunday","Monday","Tuesday","Wednesday","Thursday","Friday","Saturday")

Just to illustrate I made a table.

4 July, 1999	Sunday
4 July, 2000	Tuesday
4 July, 2001	Wednesday
4 July, 2002	Thursday
4 July, 2003	Friday
4 July, 2004	Sunday
4 July, 2005	Monday
4 July, 2006	Tuesday
4 July, 2007	Wednesday
4 July, 2008	Friday
4 July, 2009	Saturday
4 July, 2010	Sunday
4 July, 2011	Monday
4 July, 2012	Wednesday

CHOOSE can be used in conjunction with other excel commands like SUM.

As always, love to have your comments.